Barcelona will be unable to sign new players in the next two windows after a FIFA committee upheld their transfer ban.

The ban, suspended in April pending an appeal, was handed down after Barca were found guilty of breaching rules governing the international transfer of minors.

Barca fought their corner with FIFA's Appeals Committee but have been told the embargo stands.

And the ruling means there will be no new arrivals at the Nou Camp between this September and January 2016.

A FIFA statement read: "FC Barcelona is to serve a transfer ban which will see the club prevented from registering any players at both national and international level for two complete and consecutive transfer periods, starting with the next registration period (January 2015).

"Barcelona has also been ordered to pay a fine of 450,000 Swiss francs (£296,000) and been given a period of 90 days from today in which to regularise the situation of all minor players concerned."

Barca took advantage of the ban's temporary suspension to bring in several big-money signings this summer, most notably Luis Suarez.

The ruling means they can further add to their squad between now and the end of the current window.

The Spanish Football Federation, fined as part of the initial verdict, also had an appeal rejected.

Barcelona immediately announced on their website plans to take their case to the Court of Arbitration for Sport, in a final challenge to FIFA's ruling.

The club signed five players this summer, including Suarez from Liverpool.

FIFA's statement added: "Barcelona is to serve a transfer ban which will see the club prevented from registering any players at both national and international level for two complete and consecutive transfer periods, starting with the next registration period (January 2015) given that the appeal of the club had been granted suspensive effect by the chairman of the FIFA appeal committee.

"FC Barcelona has also been ordered to pay a fine of CHF 450,000 (£295,000) and been given a period of 90 days from today in which to regularise the situation of all minor players concerned."

Barcelona were found guilty of breaching FIFA's rules on the transfer of players aged under 18.

The players in question were registered and participated in competitions with the Catalan club between 2009 and 2013, while the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) was also sanctioned by FIFA for the same breaches.

The RFEF also saw its appeal turned down on Wednesday and has been fined.

FIFA's statement added: "The RFEF has been ordered to pay a fine of CHF 500,000 (£330,000) and granted a period of one year in which to regularise their regulatory framework and existing system concerning the international transfer of minors in football."